Seeking immortality begins with daily intelligence reports.

"Of course, of course, young friend Li, rest assured, you will do as I say."

Song Changshan laughed heartily, took a half step to the side, and introduced several members of the Song family to Li Shen.

Li Shen greeted each of them politely.

The white-robed youth beside Song Changshan, Song Mu, merely nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Li Shen for a moment before shifting away.

Li Shen found the name somewhat familiar. After thinking for a long time, he finally remembered that this person was the second-ranked person on the list back then.

He secretly memorized it.

If the Song family really has some shady dealings going on, this person will definitely be a hidden danger.

As for the others, they forgot about it after hearing it once.

They are not someone worth paying attention to.

With his mind made up, Li Shen followed the Song family into the prison mountain.

The destination of this trip is the Bishuitan area, located 25 li northeast of Laoshan.

It was a small lake, about several tens of feet in circumference, named for its deep blue waters that remained so year-round.

The target of the hunt was the late-stage first-order Azure Water Toad.

Its venom glands and the bumps on its back are excellent materials for making antidotes and certain special magical artifacts.

This monster isn't extremely aggressive, but its venom is troublesome, and it's often accompanied by small poisonous insects.

However, since his cultivation level has reached the late stage of the first rank, he must be extremely vigilant.

Along the way, Li Shen habitually walked at the back of the group, keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.

This gave Song Ming, who already thought Li Shen was not capable, confidence.

"Third Uncle, the outer area of ​​Laoshan is relatively peaceful, yet this rogue cultivator is already acting as if facing a formidable enemy. When we arrive at Biyu Pool later, that's a place with genuine late-stage first-tier demonic beasts. If he's like this, we're afraid he might startle the beasts or be so frightened by a few poisonous insects that he loses his composure and drags us down with him."

On the surface, Song Ming was complaining to his elders, but in reality, he deliberately raised his voice so that everyone in the group could hear him clearly.

Song Changshan glared at Song Ming fiercely:

"Mind your own business. How many times have I told you, when you're out in public, you should act like an elder!"

Seeing the somewhat awkward atmosphere, the male disciple of the Song family next to Song Ming smiled and chimed in:

"Ming-ge is overthinking it. He's a rogue cultivator; he might not be good at other things, but he should at least know how to escape and save his own life."

Song Ming scoffed upon hearing this:

"All rogue cultivators are like this, petty and calculating, relying on their cleverness and luck to scavenge resources. They're unlikely to amount to much. It's good fortune that Third Uncle let him follow along. However, you can occasionally dig up worthless herbs like 'Rotting Heart Grass' and 'Misty Leaf Vine' near the Jade Pool, which you can pick up and exchange for a few spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, Song Changshan glared at his nephew again, and the conversation between the two came to an end.

If Song Ming weren't his only nephew, Song Changshan wouldn't have wanted him to come along.

Song Changshan then glanced at Li Shen at the back of the group.

Seeing that the other person's expression remained unchanged, as if they hadn't heard, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

When will Song Ming, with his纨绔 (playboy/spoiled brat) attitude, ever have even a fraction of Song Mu's composure?

Two hours later, the Green Pool came into view.

The journey was very smooth, thanks to the purplish-blue bell in Song Changshan's hand.

This naturally aroused Li Shen's curiosity:

"Senior Song, this bell is truly wondrous. It has driven away demonic beasts along the way, saving us countless troubles."

Song Changshan, a hint of smugness on his face, reminded him:

"It's just a small thing. The Azure Water Toad is under the mud in the shallows ahead, but be careful of the poisonous mosquitoes nearby. Although they are small, they swarm together and their bites cause unbearable itching and numbness, disrupting the flow of spiritual energy. Young friend Li, you should also keep an eye on these insects when you assist in setting up the formation later."

Upon hearing this, Song Ming snorted coldly and said in a low voice:

"A rogue cultivator is just a rogue cultivator; he doesn't even recognize a low-level magic artifact like the Demon-Exorcising Bell."

Li Shen pretended not to hear and cupped his hands to Song Changshan, saying:

"Thank you for the reminder, senior."

"The Azure Toad is lurking at the bottom of the pool. We need to set up the 'Six Harmonies Spirit Locking Array' to force it out and trap it before killing it."

Song Changshan took out six small flags of different colors from his storage bag and began assigning positions:

"Song Mu, go to the Xun position; Song Ming, go to the Zhen position... Li Xiaoyou, you guard the Dui position; I will take charge of the Kan position."

He pointed to five specific locations around the cold pool and handed the corresponding array flags to each person.

Li Shen took a white array flag. It was cold to the touch, and the runes on the flag were flowing, with faint fluctuations of spiritual power.

Following the instructions, he walked to a shallow beach on the south-west side of the cold pool, which happened to be the Dui position.

"When the formation is activated, simply continue to input spiritual energy into the formation flags; no other operations are required. Remember, no matter what happens, do not move or interrupt the input of spiritual energy without my command; otherwise, the formation will backfire, and all your previous efforts will be in vain!"

Song Changshan solemnly gave his instructions.

Everyone took their places and dispersed around the cold pool.

Moving or interrupting the input of spiritual energy without authorization will cause a backlash from the formation, right?

Holding the array flag, Li Shen silently memorized the locations of the others. While remaining vigilant, several small black shadows fell from his sleeves and disappeared into the ground.

"Charge!"

Seeing that everyone was ready, Song Changshan gave a low shout and took the lead in injecting his spiritual power into the black main array flag in his hand.

Li Shen and the others dared not neglect their duties and followed instructions to infuse their respective formation flags with spiritual power.

Six beams of light of different colors shone from the array flags, shooting towards the sky above the icy pool, weaving together to form a slowly rotating hexagonal net of light that enveloped the area below.

The moment the light net touched the pool, the calm surface suddenly churned violently, and a nauseating, fishy stench filled the air.

Immediately afterwards, a deep, drum-like croaking sound rang out, followed by a splash, and a huge creature suddenly leaped out of the pool!

It was a blue water toad, as big as a calf!

Its skin was a deep blue-green color, covered with pustules that made one's scalp crawl. Its two bulging eyes, as big as cartwheels, gleamed with a fierce light as it stared intently at Song Changshan, who had the highest cultivation level. With a kick of its thick hind legs, it was about to pounce on Song Changshan, carrying a foul wind and poisonous water!

However, the Six Harmonies Light Net had already fallen, and chains appeared out of thin air, trapping it in mid-air.

It immediately emitted a sizzling burning sound, causing the blue water toad to scream in pain.

Venom spurted from the bumps on his back, splashing onto the light net and causing the light to flicker due to its corrosive effect.

"Stay calm! Increase the amount of spiritual energy input!"

Song Changshan's face paled slightly as he shouted loudly, his hands simultaneously changing hand seals. The black main array flag shone brightly, stabilizing the array.

This Six Harmonies Spirit Locking Array truly lives up to its reputation as a second-tier array. Even with the combined efforts of six people, it can only unleash 60% of its power, but it's more than enough for this Azure Water Toad.

Just then, the trapped Azure Toad seemed to be completely enraged. It puffed out its huge cheeks and let out a deafening roar. Its entire body suddenly swelled up, and the pustules on its back burst open one after another, spewing out a large amount of thick, dark green poisonous mist!

The poisonous mist spread rapidly, not only corroding the spirit-locking light net, but also spreading towards each of the array's key points!

Don't panic! The formation can block most of the poisonous fog. Take the poison-avoidance pills and hold your positions!

Song Changshan called out in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Li Shen immediately swallowed the poison-avoiding pill he had prepared beforehand, while his mind raced and he kept observing the others out of the corner of his eye.

The members of the Song family all had solemn expressions and were giving it their all.

Song Ming was struggling to channel his spiritual energy, but his eyes kept glancing towards Li Shen.

Suddenly, she met Li Shen's gaze and saw a faint, almost imperceptible, cold smile on the other's lips.

How dare you laugh at me?!

Song Ming frowned, his heart filled with rage.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred!